Wrench of the alligator type.



B. F. McCRAITH.

WRENCH OF THE ALLIGATOR TYPE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR-17,1915.

miifi mfi Pacehted Feb,29,1916.

@tzwmm I the same.

BEhWthUll' I". IfrLoCRAITl-I, SF BARK, NQRTH DAKOTA.

E THE ALLIGATOR. TYPE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

rateneea s e. a with Application filed Harsh 17, 1915. serialize, laces.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN Mo- Cnarrrna citizen of the United States, residing at Lark, in the county of Morton, State of North Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wrenches of the Alligator Type; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use This invention relates to an alligator wrench.

An object of the invention resides in the provision of a wrench wherein the adjustment of the jaws may be quickly an 1 positively accomplished.

A further object of the invention resides in so constructing the device that-it may be successfully used in corners where a straight handle wrench would be exceedingly hard to operate.

With these and other objects in view, such as will appear as the description prognesses my invention comprises the combination and arrangement of parts as set forth. in and falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a wrench constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is an edge elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the handle, portions thereof being removed to expose the adjusting mechanism. Fig. 4 is an elevational View of the device showing the handle in one of its adjusted positions.

Referring to the drawing wherein like parts are indicated by like characters throughout the several views :-In the embodirnent of my invention shown in the drawings my device comprises a body portion 1 having a jaw 2 on one end thereof and an extended shank 3 in which a slot 1} is formed. This shank is provided with an enlargement 5 through which a hole 6 extends at right angles to the slot 4:. The body portion 1 is provided with an ear 7 to which is pivoted, as at 8, a movable jaw 9 having an extending arm 10 with a slot 11 in the end thereof. In order that these jaws 2 and 9' may be adjusted with relation; to each other I have provided an adjusting screw 12 which extends; through the hole 6, is prevented from displacement therefrom by a nut 13 and has fixedly mounted thereon a finger nut 14 located in the slot 4. Adjustably mounted on the upper end of this screw 12 is a collar 15 in which a slot 16 is formed similar to the slot'll. E xtendingthrough the slots 11 and 16 is a pin 17 by means of which the arm 10 and the collar 15 are operatively held together. Thus by rotating the finger nut 14:, the collar 15 is adjusted on the screw 12 to move the jaws 2 and 9 apart or together according to the direction of movement of the collar.

The end of the shank 3 is recessed, as at 18. Extending into the recess 18 is a square tongue 19 which is secured therein by a thumb screw 20. Pivotally mounted on the outer end of this tongue 19 is a casting 21 on one end of which is a ratchet 22 and on the other end a ratchet 28. Pivotally-mounted on the tongue 19 are pawls 2 1 and pressed into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 22 by a leaf spring 26 so that the casting 21 will be held in predetermined relation with the tongue 19, normally whenthe said pawls 24 and 25 engage the ratchets.

Pivotally mounted on a pintle 27 extend ing through theratchet 23 is a handle 28 which has pawls 29 and 30 pivoted thereon and pressed into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 23 by a spring 31. Cover plates 32 extend from the tongue 19 and the handle 28 and cover the pawls the ratchets, thus when the pawls 29 and 30 are in engagement with the ratchet 23 the handle 28 is held in predetermined relation to the casting 21. By pivoting the tongue, the casting and the handle together the wrench may be so adjusted that nuts or pipes in corners may be readily operated.

From the foregoing description it will be,

seen that I have provided an alligator wrench which may be successfully used in corners and one wherein the adjustment of the jaws may he quickly and positively accomplished, and I have so constructed the device that it may be used as a pipe Wrench.

While I have illustrated and described a pau'ticular embodiment of my invention, I have merely done so for the sake of convenience and I do not wish to be limited to that particular embodiment as it is obvious that numerous changes may he made in the details of construction thereof without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim. is 1- 1. An alligator wrench comprising a body portion having a aw thereon, a aw pivoted to the said body portion, means for positively adjusting said jaws with relation to each other, a tongue detachably secured to the body portion, means for positively adjusting the said body portion, means for positively adjusting said jaws with relation to each other, a tongue detachably secured to the body portion, a casting having a ratchet wheel on each. end pivotally mounted on said tongue, pawls on the tongue for engaging the opposite sides of one of the ratchets, a spring for maintaining said pawls in engagement with the ratchets, a handle-pivotall-y mounted on. the other end of the casting, pawls on the handle for engaging the opposite sides of the adjacent ratchet, and a spring for screw, a collar adjustably mounted on the screw, said collar and said arm on the movable jaw having slots therein, a pin extending through said slots and an articulate han' dle secured to the extension of the body portion and arranged to have the component parts thereof adjusted to various angl s with relation to each other.

In testimony whereof, I afilX my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

MR. BEN. F. MQCRAITH.

Witnesses:

S. L. KEENE, J. TAVIS. 

